The patch of artificial turf at Etihad Stadium blamed for an ankle injury to Geelong forward Daniel Menzel in a game last year is set to go as the AFL acts on concerns from its players' union.
While synthetic turf will not disappear entirely from the maligned venue, the league has used its recently-acquired power at the ground to help assuage fears that the surface is dangerous for players.
![Neither here nor there: the half-open Etihad Stadium roof during Saturday's game.](/web/20170203051742im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/4/o/k/8/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gu4x2e.png/1486094376688.jpg)
Menzel hurt himself in the Cats' victory over North Melbourne in round 12 after sliding into the stadium's fence following a second-quarter marking contest in one of the ground's pockets. While Menzel played out the game and ultimately didn't miss any subsequent matches because of the injury, he claimed the artificial turf at the perimeter of the oval had contributed to the injury. Menzel – who had already endured four knee reconstructions – raised his concerns with the AFL Players' Association, leading to an AFL investigation. Jimmy Bartel – then a teammate of Menzel's – likened the astroturf to "concrete" in a radio appearance on SEN.
While the AFL said at the time that the ground had passed independent quality tests, it has decided to act on the matter after purchasing the stadium in November, even though there remain mixed opinions as to whether the turf is dangerous.
![Synthetic turf at Etihad Stadium in 2012](/web/20170203051742im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/4/x/8/x/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gu4x2e.png/1486094376688.jpg)
An AFL spokesman confirmed the league's intentions.
"The AFL is planning on extending some sections of natural turf at Etihad Stadium given the opportunity to do so during the off-season," he told Fairfax Media on Friday. "Artificial turf will remain in place in high traffic areas such as the interchange benches.
"The move will also improve the consistency of Etihad Stadium with other venues around Australia that operate with both natural and artificial turf."
It's understood the decision to keep the artificial turf in "high traffic areas" was made because of concerns around the hazards that could come from deterioration in those parts of the arena.
The Menzel incident followed a serious knee injury early in 2015 to Brisbane Lions forward Michael Close, who missed most of that season after his knee buckled when landing on the edge of the artificial turf next to the interchange benches during a game at Etihad – coincidentally also against the Kangaroos. Both Close and the Lions sought compensation for the injury.
Issues with the roofed venue's surface have been a recurring theme since the ground opened in 2000. That season the league decided to move a game between St Kilda and Hawthorn from the ground to the MCG because of concerns about the playing arena. While public complaints from players about the surface proper have become less common in recent years, the surface may be tested next month when a pair of major concerts are held shortly before round one. Justin Bieber will perform at the venue on March 10, with Adele then appearing on March 18, seven days before the Saints take on Melbourne in the opening round.
Since taking over the ground the AFL has been working to make the venue more fan-friendly, with highly-regarded Melbourne marketing chief Jennifer Watt charged with the task of reinventing the ground. Tennant clubs North Melbourne, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs are all seeking to renegotiate more preferable stadium deals at Etihad, while Fairfax Media revealed this week that another of Etihad's clubs – Essendon – is eyeing an extra home game annually at the MCG.
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